JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia. Monday, 27 January. 2025 – The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will introduce a Rookie Free Practice session as part of the Jeddah E-Prix, specifically designed for drivers who have never raced in the Championship.
The 40-minute Rookie Free Practice Session, scheduled for Thursday, February 13th, will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new, ground-breaking technology of Formula E’s GEN3 Evo car.
Key Features:
- Exclusively for Rookies: Open to experienced racing drivers from other series, with a Free Practice Only e-Licence.
- GEN3 Evo Experience: Offers hands-on experience with the latest Formula E technology, capable of 0-100km/h in 1.82s – 30% faster than a current F1 car.
- Clearer Pathways: Supports Formula E and the FIA’s commitment to developing future motorsport talent.
Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, meaning the exciting line-up will be revealed in the next coming weeks.
This initiative follows the successful inaugural Women’s Test in Madrid in October, and further emphasises Formula E and the FIA’s dedication to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said:
“Following on from the success of our Official Women’s Test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated Rookie Free Practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix. It’s a crucial next-step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women. This opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will provide invaluable experience for these young drivers, and we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”
Pablo Martino, Head of Formula E Championship, FIA, said:
“It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA World Championships, and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around. Many of its current stars gained their first Formula E experience in one of these rookie sessions or tests, and to provide such opportunities for the next generation of promising talents to discover the specifics of Formula E and EV racing – and adapt their driving style accordingly – is essential for the championship’s continuing growth.”
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About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:
As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport-certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.
The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities is united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and the planet.
About ABB:
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
